Kevin Horan: March 2009 Archives

Some stimulus package information to note:

The government is giving out tax credits for some high-efficiency wood and pellet stoves placed in service between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010, according to a Philadelphia-based heating, ventilating and air-conditioning product distributor.

The tax credits may provide for up to 30 percent of the cost of each stove, according to Peirce-Phelps, which has an office in York.

The units must operate at 75 percent efficiency, according to Peirce-Phelps, and must burn "either pellets, wood or biomass fuel to heat a home or provide hot water."

The brackets are out.

Now the fun begins.

Employees in offices all over the country this week are welcoming the great diversion that is the NCAA men's basketball tournament, more commonly known as March Madness.

In case you aren't familiar, here's how this thing works:

Everyone who's interested prints out a blank bracket. They then proceed to predict the winner of each game, all the way to the national championship.

Usually, there is one person within the office who coordinates the pool, meaning that person will collect the filled-out brackets and the entry fee, which is due before the games begin Thursday.

Coordinating the pool is an important task, because the coordinator is expected to send out regular updates on who is leading in the standings.

It's fun for everyone in the office and is sure to inspire some drama and intrigue as the April 6 national title game nears.

Is your office doing a pool this year? Let us know. Send an e-mail to reporter Kevin Horan at khoran@ydr.com or call him at 771-2029. Make sure to include your name, phone number and the name of your company.